A Senior National Wrestling Championship is currently taking place at the

in Naranpura, Ahmedabad, from December 12 to 14, 2025.

The schedule for the event is as follows:
  • December 12: Women’s competitions.
  • December 13: Freestyle competitions.
  • December 14: Greco-Roman competitions. 
The complex, inaugurated in September 2025, is an international-level facility capable of hosting various national and international sports events.
The championship is being held under the aegis of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and serves as a test event for a potential future U20 World Championship. Wrestlers from various state units and bodies, including Punjab, are participating. The Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) wrestlers will also compete.
The Veer Savarkar Sports Complex
is an international-level facility that opened in September 2025.

Wrestling Federation of India.

Wrestling in India has been practiced since the 5th millennium B.C. In Ancient India wrestling was most famously known as MallaYudha. One of the premier characters in Mahabharata Bhimawas considered to be a great wrestler of the time, and some of the other great wrestlers included Jarasandha,Keechaka and Balrama. In the other Indian epic, Ramayana also mentions wrestling in India and Hanuman is described as one of the greatest wrestlers of his time. Wrestling in India is also known as Dangal, and it is the basic form of a wrestling tournament. It is also called kushti in Punjab and Haryana. What began as a way for men to keep fit and entertainment for royal families Wrestling today has emerged as a robust professional sport that brings India international fame.Indian wrestlers have won numerous medals at international competitions in Freestyle Wrestling.

🥇 1. Ancient Roots & Traditional Styles

  • Wrestling in India is one of the oldest sports, with roots in ancient combat traditions like Malla-yuddha, mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

  • Traditional Indian wrestling is practiced in mud pits called akhara and emphasizes physical strength, technique and discipline.

  • The classic native form known as Pehlwani evolved from Malla-yuddha and influences today’s Kushti.

🤼 2. Modern Wrestling (Amateur/Freestyle)

  • India competes internationally mainly in freestyle wrestling under the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the official governing body.

  • Wrestlers train in modern arenas and also often in traditional akharas — blending techniques from both worlds.

🏆 3. International Achievements

Olympics & World Stage

India’s wrestlers have steadily raised their global stature:

  • Olympic medals: India has won multiple Olympic medals in wrestling, beginning with K.D. Jadhav’s bronze (1952). Other medalists include Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Ravi Kumar Dahiya. Wikipedia+1

  • Wrestlers also shine at World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and other major tournaments.

💪 4. Notable Indian Wrestlers

Legendary & Influential Names

  • K.D. Jadhav – India’s first Olympic medalist in wrestling (Bronze, 1952).

  • Sushil Kumar – Two-time Olympic medalist and World Champion.

  • Sakshi Malik – First Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal (Bronze, 2016).

  • Bajrang Punia & Ravi Kumar Dahiya – Modern world-class stars with multiple global medals.

  • Geeta Phogat & Vinesh Phogat – Key figures in popularizing women’s wrestling in India.

  • Aman Sehrawat – Rising talent with international medals and Olympic success.

🤼‍♂️ 5. Cultural & Regional Impact

  • Wrestling is especially popular in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan — states with strong traditions of akharas and dangals (competitive wrestling events).

  • The sport’s legacy is tied to community identities, family lineages of wrestlers, and festivals that celebrate physical culture.

💥 6. Professional/Entertainment Wrestling

  • Besides amateur sport, India also has a professional wrestling scene, including wrestlers who performed internationally (like Tiger Joginder Singh).

  • Popular personalities like The Great Khali have helped raise wrestling’s visibility through global promotions like WWE (note this is pro wrestling, which is entertainment-oriented).

🧩 7. What Wrestling Means in India

✔ Wrestling combines sport, culture, heritage and physical discipline.
✔ Traditional akharas coexist with modern training centers.
✔ Wrestlers serve as role models and drive youth participation and national pride.